BoxRec

Because a certain someone did an exciting performance on Saturday, there's a bit more interest in the heavies. I've actually got out my previously untouched DVDs of Briggs-Lyak, Ibragimov-Austin and others, for the 1st time!

There's a couple of interesting matchups upcoming.

I think that February's Hasim Rahman-Ray Mercer might be off, replaced by Rahman-Luan Krasniqui in Germany. I reckon Krasniqui folds as he did with Brewster. He's like Mario Veit. He can do some fine boxing and then falls to pieces.

In March there's Sultan Ibragimov challenging Shannon Briggs. If Sultan doesnt come in too heavy, shows some speed and movement, and adds a bit of variety he can take the WBO title. Ibragimov is the cousin of Ruslan Chagaev, albeit based in America with the Seminole Warriors. Could be interesting, and it has the racial undercurrent with another 'Rusky' who can knock off the 'last American standing.' (tacky stuff, I know, like something out of ROCKY IV).

Wlad has a mandatory with Ray Austin, which seems very dull, but it might be worth watching in preparation for the winner of Saturday's bout.

I'm not particularly looking forward to the next round of title defences - all pretty predictable imo.

Valuev-McLine - Valuev. Easy. Cannot believe some are talking about McLine having a chance. After this we will have the "McLine was shot" stuff coming out.
Wlad-Austin - pretty ugly. Moderate snoozer. Austin may stick it out, grab a couple of points as Wlad fades, but to all purposes a keep busy for Wlad.
Briggs-Ibragimov less predictable. Does Sultan have the chin to resist Briggs' undoubted power? If so, that's another Eastern European champ (imo)
Peter-Maskaev - surely surely Peter?

After this, it's going to be much more interesting. Valuev-Chagaev will be interesting - Valuev's biggest test to date. Wlad v another titlist? I wish it wern't Peter-Wlad II, but surely a unification of sorts has got to be good? Only Tony Thompson seperates a long line of Euros from being the next WBO contender. An eliminator out of Krasniqi,Virchis & Dimitrenko should produce a good fight.

viciousmaussa wrote:
In March there's Sultan Ibragimov challenging Shannon Briggs. If Sultan doesnt come in too heavy, shows some speed and movement, and adds a bit of variety he can take the WBO title. Ibragimov is the cousin of Ruslan Chagaev, albeit based in America with the Seminole Warriors.

Sultan is Timor Ibragimov's cousin not Ruslan CHagaev's right?

Never heard that they were related?

Depends how much ambition Rahman has left, the last defeat must have left him pretty low, can he get the right mindset back ?
Krasniqui put in a great display against Brewster, one of the fights of the year IMO, fighting in his own backyard he may have to much for Rahman.

Ibragimov vs Briggs - Easy win for Ibragimov. I am not a fan of his and I thought he lost to Ray Austin. However, Briggs is awful these days. Overated power, no workrate, no speed anymore. A bit like Danny Williams in that he had some talent (more than Danny) but has blowing it on his missing years (he called himself retired and a promoter at one stage) and dare I say roiding it up to the max. I do believe anyone in the top 20 could beat Briggs and that probably includes Skelton - certainly Ibrahamovic. I actually think Holyfield could beat Briggs.

Austin vs Wlad - Austin does deserve this shot, in my eyes he beat Ibragimov who is getting his own shot. Although, Austin is another very poor heavyweight. I do think Wlad warrants an easy one after 3 tough looking fights on paper. Wlad will dominate and score a mid round KO- bit of a snoozefest.

Valuev vs McCline - Now, McCline doesn't deserve a shot, but this one could be more interesting. McCline is durable and hits (when he wants to) quite hard. Beck was chinny and Barrett couldn't punch. Valuev didn't look particularly impressive struggling vs Barrett - so I give McCline a chance. I favour Valuev's workrate and size to prevail on points, but McCline just could catch him. Shame we are not getting this bill in the UK.

Peter vs Maskaev - Well, if this fights happens.... and there is talk of Wlad vs Maskaev happening first. Well, I cannot see anything other than a Peter win. Maskaev could be leading at periods (depending on the condition of Peter) but ultimately, Maskaev doesn't have time or a chin on his side. I'm sure Peter will catch him.

Rahman vs Krasniqi - Brave match by Rahman, much better than Ray Mercer. Both would easily be WBO champions now. Rahman consistency is worst than Williams and Harrison combined... one minute he looks the devisions saviour (vs Lewis and then vs Toney), then he looks poor and loses a fight he was heavily favoured to win (Ruiz, Holyfield, Maskaev 1 and 2).

E wrote:

viciousmaussa wrote:
In March there's Sultan Ibragimov challenging Shannon Briggs. If Sultan doesnt come in too heavy, shows some speed and movement, and adds a bit of variety he can take the WBO title. Ibragimov is the cousin of Ruslan Chagaev, albeit based in America with the Seminole Warriors.

Sultan is Timor Ibragimov's cousin not Ruslan CHagaev's right?

Never heard that they were related?

I thought Sultan and Timor were brothers...I rea somewhere about the cousin thing - however it was a badly translated Russian article, so it might have meant comrades

stujones wrote:Ibragimov vs Briggs - Easy win for Ibragimov. I am not a fan of his and I thought he lost to Ray Austin. However, Briggs is awful these days. Overated power, no workrate, no speed anymore. A bit like Danny Williams in that he had some talent (more than Danny) but has blowing it on his missing years (he called himself retired and a promoter at one stage) and dare I say roiding it up to the max. I do believe anyone in the top 20 could beat Briggs and that probably includes Skelton - certainly Ibrahamovic. I actually think Holyfield could beat Briggs.

Austin vs Wlad - Austin does deserve this shot, in my eyes he beat Ibragimov who is getting his own shot. Although, Austin is another very poor heavyweight. I do think Wlad warrants an easy one after 3 tough looking fights on paper. Wlad will dominate and score a mid round KO- bit of a snoozefest.

Valuev vs McCline - Now, McCline doesn't deserve a shot, but this one could be more interesting. McCline is durable and hits (when he wants to) quite hard. Beck was chinny and Barrett couldn't punch. Valuev didn't look particularly impressive struggling vs Barrett - so I give McCline a chance. I favour Valuev's workrate and size to prevail on points, but McCline just could catch him. Shame we are not getting this bill in the UK.

Peter vs Maskaev - Well, if this fights happens.... and there is talk of Wlad vs Maskaev happening first. Well, I cannot see anything other than a Peter win. Maskaev could be leading at periods (depending on the condition of Peter) but ultimately, Maskaev doesn't have time or a chin on his side. I'm sure Peter will catch him.

Rahman vs Krasniqi - Brave match by Rahman, much better than Ray Mercer. Both would easily be WBO champions now. Rahman consistency is worst than Williams and Harrison combined... one minute he looks the devisions saviour (vs Lewis and then vs Toney), then he looks poor and loses a fight he was heavily favoured to win (Ruiz, Holyfield, Maskaev 1 and 2).

I had Ibragimov nicking the Austin fight - I had him in a big early lead and coming back at the end - but the draw as his own fault because after he dropped the big guy Ibragimov did bugger all for the next 4 rounds.

I think McCline's going to be intimidated versus Valuev. But he does have a better shot than the usual because physically it's not so much of a mismatch.

Don't know how Chagaev's going to win a title - he looks a bit undersized to me, though I enjoyed his stoppage of Sprott.